Corruption case against MP officials

Harda, MP, June 19 (UNI) A local court has referred to a Supreme Court judgement while ordering registration of a corruption case, sans the Madhya Pradesh government's permission, against two officials including a joint collector.

According to prosecution, in 2005 local-resident Vishal Mishra lodged a complaint alleging corruption in distribution of 1,500 quintals wheat to flood-affected areas the previous year by Joint Collector Dileep Kapse, who was then the district's food official, Food Inspector H M Khuraiyya and two other officials.

After examining documents enclosed with the complaint, the court found the case prima facie genuine and declared Kapse and Khuraiyya guilty. As both were public servants, the bench said the state government's permission, for registering a case, be presented in court within three months.

Mr Mishra challenged the ruling in the District and Sessions Court while referring to the apex court judgement in Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal vs State of Punjab.

On June 15, District and Sessions Judge Jagdeesh Prasad Parashar struck down the lower court's ruling. The Chief Judicial Magistrate's court ordered registering of a criminal case against the two officials under Section 409 of the IPC. The duo will have to appear before the bench on July 26.

UNI